Weigel Reflects on Cardinal Lustiger

Our neighbor in Bethesda, Dr. George Weigel, noted especially for his life of John Paul II, wrote the following reflection on the recently deceased Cardinal Archbishop of Paris, a convert from Judaism. The picture was taken as the Cardinal's body was brought to the front of the Notre Dame Cathedral.

Cardinal Lustiger, R.I.P.
By George Weigel
Visitors to the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris will soon be able to ponder a commemorative marker carrying this inscription:“I was born Jewish. I received the name of my paternal grandfather, Aaron. Having become Christian by faith and by baptism, I have remained Jewish as did the Apostles. I have as my patron saints Aaron the High Priest, Saint John the Apostle, Holy Mary full of grace. Named 139th archbishop of Paris by His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, I was enthroned in this cathedral on 27 February 1981, and here I exercised my entire ministry. Passers by, pray for me. +Aaron Jean-Marie Cardinal Lustiger, Archbishop of Paris.”
In the early 1950s, two young men whose names would become familiar throughout the world attended the same political science lectures at the Sorbonne. One was the son of Polish-Jewish parents; the other came from Cambodia. One had lost his mother in Hitler’s Holocaust; the other would ignite a holocaust. One had converted to Catholicism; the other had converted to Marxism. One would live to become the embodiment of humane, intellectually coherent religious faith, and thereby give hope to his people; the other would marry irrationality to viciousness, and his name would become a curse among his people.
One was named Aaron Jean-Marie Lustiger. The other was named Pol Pot. A novelist of sufficient imagination could turn that scene — Lustiger and Pol Pot, in the same Parisian classroom — into a gripping tale about divergent roads taken, and the consequences that followed. I’m not a novelist, but I am very grateful for the privilege of having had Jean-Marie Lustiger’s life intersect with my own.
We first met in Washington in 1986 or so, when he was visiting America with a group of young aides. After a formal session at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, the cardinal and I fell into more informal conversation, and I asked him whether this was his first trip to the U.S. Oh no, he answered, he had once hitchhiked across the country. I asked him when. “1968,” he replied. I suggested that he might have chosen a more tranquil year.
Cardinal Lustiger was very helpful to me as I was preparing Witness to Hope: The Biography of Pope John Paul II, and we stayed in touch over the years. Early in 2006, one of his assistants, Jean Duchesne, told me that the cardinal, quite ill with cancer, wanted to see me before he died, in order to share some memories of, and reflections on, the last years of John Paul II. We spent ninety minutes together in the cardinal’s modest Paris apartment last December and had a conversation that I shall always remember for its Christian lucidity and tranquility in thinking about death, in the very face of death. I asked for the cardinal’s blessing as I left; I shall always cherish the memory of his hands on my head and his thin arms drawing me into a final embrace. Here was a man of God; here was a man. The first explained the second.
Like John Paul II, Aaron Jean-Marie Lustiger believed that the biblical story — the story that begins with God’s self-gift to the People of Israel and that continues in the Church — is in fact the story of humanity, rightly understood. The biblical story and the human story don’t run on parallel tracks; the biblical story is the human story, read in its true depth. For Cardinal Lustiger, the “choice of God” (the title of one of his best-selling books) was also the choice for a genuine humanism, the choice for a life without fear of final oblivion — the fear that was one root of the lethally different choice his Cambodian classmate had made.
Cardinal Lustiger, who wrote with great insight about worship and prayer, knew that at the heart of culture is cult. Everyone worships; the question is whether the object of our worship is a worthy one. Having lived and died in the conviction that worship of the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Jesus is true worship, Aaron Jean-Marie Lustiger became a blessing for the world.
George Weigel is a senior fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C. Weigel’s column is distributed by the Denver Catholic Register, the official newspaper of the Archdiocese of Denver. Phone: 303-715-3215.

Vatican Summary of Austrian Visit

BENEDICT XVI RECALLS HIS VISIT TO AUSTRIA

VATICAN CITY, SEP 12, 2007 (VIS) - Shortly before 10 a.m. today, the Pope arrived in the Vatican by helicopter from his summer residence in Castelgandolfo. He then went to St. Peter's Square for his weekly general audience.

Addressing the more than 12,000 people present, the Holy Father recalled his recent pastoral visit to Austria to commemorate the 850th anniversary of the shrine of Mariazell, a visit, he said, "that was above all a pilgrimage on the theme of 'looking to Christ,' that is, of going towards Mary who shows us Jesus."

The Pope spoke of his arrival in Vienna where he had visited the city's Judenplatz and the monument to the Shoah, and of his meeting with the public authorities of the country and the diplomatic corps. "Such moments," he explained, "are precious opportunities in which Peter's Successor has the chance of exhorting the leaders of nations to favor the cause of peace and of true economic and social progress. With particular reference to Europe, I renewed my encouragement to continue the current process of unification on the basis of values inspired by its shared Christian heritage."

The Pope described Mariazell as "one of the symbols of the meeting between European peoples and Christianity" and highlighted how many philosophers, not always from a Christian standpoint, "have recognized the central role of Christianity in defending the modern conscience from the currents of nihilism and fundamentalism." In the Marian shrine, said the Holy Father, we understand that "to see Jesus with Mary's eyes is to encounter God Love, Who was made man for us and died upon the Cross."

Turning to consider his meeting with the Austrian clergy, Benedict XVI pointed out how religious and priests always "strive to present everyone with a reflection of the goodness and beauty of God," by choosing the way of poverty, chastity and obedience, understood "in their authentic Christological sense, not individualist but relational and ecclesial."

During Sunday's concelebrated Mass in Vienna's cathedral of St. Stephen, "I dwelt upon the importance of Sundays" said the Holy Father, "which give meaning to work and rest, renew the significance of creation and redemption, and express the value of freedom and of service to others."

Benedict XVI also mentioned the joy he had felt when he visited the abbey of Heiligenkreuz and the Pontifical Theological Faculty. There, he recalled, he reiterated the value of prayer "as service of praise and adoration ... over which nothing must take precedence," and of the liturgy "oriented towards God," highlighting also how "theological study must never be separated from spiritual life and prayer."

Finally, the Pope mentioned his meeting with voluntary groups in Vienna. "Volunteer work must not be seen as 'filling the gaps' left by the State and public institutions," he said, "rather as a complementary presence, vital to ensure that attention remains focused on the least advantaged."

"In Vienna and Mariazell," he concluded, "the living, faithful and variegated truth of the Catholic Church appeared particularly clearly. ... A Church that implements and is witness to a generous 'yes' to life in all its dimensions, a Church that renews her bi-millennial tradition at the service of a future of peace and of true social progress for the entire human family."AG/VISIT AUSTRIA/...

Wednesday Reflection

Today' Gospel Reading presents the ages-old challenge. Do I let what I have overtake my life? Jesus tries to teach that their is much goodness as well as much evil in the treasures we might have in our lives? What is one of the fastest growing businesses in the country at this time? It is the storage places that are popping up around every city and town. We have so much. We add so much to what we have. Our homes just are not adequate for many and their "things." It is time for Fall cleaning. What a good chance to shed some of the poundage that we have put upon our rooms, our hanging poles or rods in our closets. What Jesus is trying to teach us: freedom. He wants each of us to be free of the burdens or loads we put upon our backs. Be free. Be free. My sister is a great one for getting rid of accumulation in her home. In the family she is called the "queen of the dump." Her day is made when she can fill up the car and take a few bags of useless clutter to the dump. As she said to me once, "I feel so much lighter." I asked her to come to my rooms at the residence. Her reply: "Are you really sure you want me there to do that for you? There will not be much left." What a challenge! The picture reminds me of a prayer I say so often: "St. Anthony, look around. Somethings lost and can't be found." Who could in clutter like this!!!

Interesting Point of View

I am not prone to copying and passing on stories but this one is surely an interesting twist.

Written by an Australian Dentist....and too good to delete.... To Kill an American

You probably missed this in the rush of news, but there was actually a report that someone in Pakistan had published in a newspaper, an offer of a reward to anyone who killed an American, any American. So an Australian dentist wrote an editorial t he following day to let everyone know what an American is . So they would know when they found one. (Good one, mate!!!!)

"An American is English, or French , or Italian, Irish, German, Spanish, Polish, Russian or Greek. An American may also be Canadian, Mexican, African, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Australian, Iranian, Asian, or Arab, or Pakistani or Afghan.

An American may also be a Comanch e, Choctaw, Cherokee, Osage, Blackfoot, Navaho, Apache, Seminole or one of the many other tribes known as native Americans.

An American is Christian, or he could be Jewish, or Buddhist, or Muslim. In fact, there are more Muslims in America than in Afghanistan . The only difference is that in America they are free to worship as each of them chooses.

An American is also free to believe in no religion. For that he will answer only to God, not to the government, or to armed thugs claiming to speak for the government and for God.

An American lives in the most prosperous land in the history of the world.

The root of that prosperity can be found in the Declaration of Independence , which recognizes the God given right of each person to the pursuit of happiness

An American is generous. Americans have helped out just about every other nation in the world in their time of need, never asking a thing in return When Afghanistan was over-run by the Soviet army 20 years ago, Americans came with arms and suppl ies to enable the people to win back their country! As of the morning of September 11, Americans had given more than any other nation to the poor in Afghanistan.

Americans welcome the best of everything...the best products, the best books, the best music, the best food, the best services. But they also welcome the least. The national symbol of America , The Statue of Liberty , welcomes your tired and your poor, the wretched refuse of your teeming shores, the homeless, tempest tossed. These in fact are the people who built America ..

Some of them were working in the Twin Towers the morning of September 11, 2001 earning a better life for their families. It's been told that the World Trade Center victims were from at least 30 different countries, cultures, and first languages, including those that aided and abetted the terrorists.

So you can try to kill an American if you must. Hitler did. So did General Tojo, and Stalin, and Mao Tse-Tung, and other blood-thirsty tyrants in the world. But, in doing so you would just be killing yourself. Because Americans are not a particular people from a particular place. They are the embodiment of the human spirit of freedom. Everyone who holds to that spirit, everywhere, is an American.

Sunday Reflection: September 2, 2007

TODAY'S GOSPEL

23rd Sunday - Ordinary Time - 2007
Buried within the gospel reading of this liturgy is the following phrase: “Which of you wishing to construct a tower ....” It sits between being told that to be a follower of Christ one must turn on parents, sisters and brothers and one’s own family, carrying one’s cross, and marching into battle. All of these are just the kinds of words that most people don’t want to follow much less hear. So what is the significance of this reference to someone building a tower?

In the time of Jesus the dream of every small farmer was to be able to build a tower. A tower was not so much a sign of wealth as it was an insurance policy against those who might invade a farmer’s fields or wild animals seeking sustenance during the harvest time.

In calling those who followed him, Jesus often spoke about the need to take seriously a decision to follow him. As with anyone who can stir up the emotions of a crowd with preaching or public speaking, Jesus knew that some of those who were proclaiming their intention to follow him were working on an explosion of momentary enthusiasm. Jesus was well aware that such enthusiasm was destined to evaporate in the heat of the day if it was not built upon a strong foundation.

In two of the examples used in his preaching about the cost of discipleship, the building of the tower and a king marching into battle, Jesus uses another phrase “sit down” to evaluate the particular needs. This phrase is important for anyone setting out on a project or a way of life. It is important to sit down and determine what resources one might have for such an adventure.
The reference to the tower has significance for us as well as the Palestinians of Jesus’ time. The tower is the construction that affords the farmer protection from the enemies. In our lives we have been called to build a tower ... so much as to isolate ourselves. Rather we should be building a tower to provide us with the ability to see out of ourselves into the world around us. From our own tower we should be able to see what challenges there are for us in the life that we live. The tower we build has to be formed by the Ten Commandments, the laws of our Church, and the life of the gospels explained by Jesus himself.

If the life of Jesus is a challenge, as taught those following him that it would be, we need to be strengthened to compete with what would attempt to destroy our own tower. In building our own tower we have to realize that the most important undertaking is not immediate building of the structure. More important is our taking the time to reflect on what we need in our tower, what challenges we have to face in our culture today. The temptation is just to say I am going to build my tower quickly without really determining what I need in my tower. If you read all the gospels, this was the problem with many of those who followed Jesus with great enthusiasm. Stirred by what he taught, many did not stop to think about what it would cost to follow him.
Quite honestly, the cost is high. As students begin to uncover new fields of learning in new courses, so to we who have passed the days of schooling need to remember that schooling is a life-long process. It doesn’t end with one, or two or three or four degrees. Schooling about ourselves, learning who I really am, takes much reflection.

This is one of the mysteries of being a follower of Jesus. The teachings are exciting. Who would not want to be associated with someone who speaks so well of God? Only a fool would reject the opportunity. However, how many take the time to understand what the expectations are in becoming a follower?

Jesus does not ask the impossible of us. He gave his life to ennoble us. He gives us the resources the Father gave to him. If we believe he shares these resources with us, then building our tower is not a difficult project and discipleship is not an impossibility for us. You gather today around the Lord’s table to receive graces from him especially in and through the Eucharist. I invite you to speak with the Lord today, especially after receiving Holy Communion, asking him to strengthen your commitment to discipleship.

Wednesday Papal Audience: September 4, 2007

Saint Peter's SquareWednesday, 5 September 2007
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
In our catechesis on the teachers of the early Church, we once again consider Saint Gregory of Nyssa, one of the great Cappadocian Fathers of the fourth century. At the heart of Saint Gregory’s teaching is the innate dignity of every man and woman, made in the image of God and called to grow more fully into his likeness. Human fulfilment is found in a dynamic process of growth towards that perfection which has its fullness in God; daily we “press forward” (cf. Phil 3:13) towards union with God through love, knowledge and the cultivation of the virtues. This ascent to God calls for a process of purification which, by his grace, perfects our human nature and produces fruits of justice, holiness and goodness. In all of this, Jesus Christ, the perfect image of the Father, is our model and teacher. Gregory insists on Christ’s presence in the poor, who challenge us to acknowledge our own dependence on God and to imitate his mercy. Finally, Gregory points to the importance of prayer modelled on the Lord’s own prayer for the triumph of God’s Kingdom. May his teaching inspire us to seek that holiness and purity of heart which will one day enable us to see God face to face!

Wednesday Reflection: September 5, 2007

Today's gospel reading brings us face-to-face with what seems to be a genuine challenge for contemporary Christians. This part of the 4th chapter of Luke's gospel is exciting. Imagine the todo that we would encounter if there was someone in the neighborhood who became know for the ability to cure, to heal those in need. No doubt there would be lines of people who need to be cured of cancer, AIDS, MS, mental or emotional problems, diabetes, blindness and on and on. We would most likely require traffic directors!

Aside form the "doing" that was bringing Jesus to his fulfilling moment in ministry, there is a significant sentence placed or buried in this part of the gospel. No doubt these words are inspired by the Holy Spirit for all who read what Luke writes: "At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place."

There will always be more work for everyone. Modern society has inundated all of us with duties and other obligations. The quiet time, sitting on a porch (remember them??), a quiet, solitary walk through a park: so often these experiences seem to be fulfilled only scheduling them on a calendar! We are always "overworking." But Jesus himself needed time to be with God in quiet, in prayer, in time away from the rush of the day.

We can usually find time for distractions. How difficult it is to find time to be alone with God who cures all our ills, heals all our pain and gives us so much peace! What are we going to do to eradicate that?

Tuesday Reflection: September 4, 2007

St. Paul's words in today's first reading reflect a truly caring spiritual leader. Paul is to the point: you cannot determine how God is going to act in your life. What he is encouraging is what we hear in today's world: "let go, let God."

For us I think Paul's words are a challenge because almost all of us to some extent have become "controllers." Our society and the needs we have just in keeping up with the spinning times necessitates that we have things in order, that we have thing under control!

Sometimes we become the "I'll do this God and I expect this to be the results." Paul is saying: "It just does not work that way!"

Paul is calling the Thessalonians to be open ... open the God's way in our lives. Take the time to listen to what God is saying to us.

Tuesday Reflection: September 4, 2007

The selected text of St. Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians presents a picture of Paul as the caring one. He writes to remind the Thessalonians that God works in God's time, not our time. For the recipients of the letter as well as ourselves, Paul truly writes words for our welfare. We cannot freeze God's actions in the times we want them to serve our needs. None can determine how God will help us. Neither times nor place be be determined by us.

For us today, in a time when most of us are "control freeks" to some degree, it truly is a challenge to live a life that is driven by a "let go, let God" philosophy. There is so much we feel we need to control, to direct. Yet God's day, God's will can bring us deeper satisfaction ... if we let God do it on his terms.

Sunday Reflection: September 2, 2007

Twenty-Second Sunday Ordinary Time -- September 2, 2007

God’s peace to all of you.

Let’s consider the principle theme of today's scripture readings: humility. However, let me ask you to replace what I believe most people think about humility with a nuanced perception of the concept. For a few moments consider the meaning of humble to be this: being humble means being honest about who and what we are and being honest about the gifts and graces that God has given to each of us.

I believe many miss the magnificent graces that come to them because they possess a weakened sense of a virtue that can make them strong, that can make them upright and can make them quite open to the numerous daily opportunities of God’s graces. To live with the notion that the virtue of humility requires a serious belittling of ourselves, hiding in a corner, as it were, and other personally demeaning actions, is, I believe, a cause for so many people being unable to live with the potential that God has given.

God with the collaboration of loving parents brought you and me, each of us, into this world. He made us quite different from birds, dogs, cats, trees, flowers or flowing rivers. He created us and graced us with particular talents and skills so that we could fulfill his divine plan in and through us and our skills. But, but, but: from our earliest years so many people were taught that more important than growing in true humility was the undermining vice called pride. Unfortunately we learned that pride was not being humble. One way of understanding this is to consider how using all the talents and skills God had given was so dangerous. We could become filled with pride. To this day I can recall the priests and sisters during my early years in school: be careful. Don’t think yourself so great ... it will lead to your downfall! Consequently we were being molded in a way that was teaching us to limit the full use of all the wonderful gifts God had given us.

What I truly believe the virtue of humility is calling us to realize is that by recognizing and using to the fullest the talents God has given us we become more fully aware of the person that God intended us to be. This is why God made some of us teachers, managers, parents, bakers and candlestick makers and so on. To suppress the God-given talents is indeed a genuine way of offending God.

Humility is the virtuous gift of knowing the gifts or talents that God has given me and developing them in ways that bring me closer to an awareness of God’s goodness and of the ways that I can make a contribution to the community in which I live.

Humility means honestly recognizing what talents God has given and how they can be used to reach out to those who can benefit by one’s gifts. Humility does not mean hiding talents, burying our skills. If a person is really good at one thing or another, putting that skill in the closet is far from serving God and our sisters and brothers.